Friday, June 27, 2014

Hello, dear friends,
I've been staying busy since my last post. The fall issue of the quilt magazine (Primitive Quilts and Projects) that I edit went to press this week, and both of the quilt books I'm editing this quarter have been sent to the designers. I'm definitely feeling a sense of accomplishment as this work week draws to a close!

But it hasn't been all work here, fortunately. Thanks to the keen hunting skills of my husband and father-in-law, I was able to enjoy a bumper crop of morels this season. I had so many this year that I thought I'd try baking a batch rather than sautéing them in butter like I usually do. Well, I was pleasantly surprised that they turned out just as good with a light coating of butter-flavored cooking spray. I had my doubts about baking them, but I would definitely do this again if I'm lucky to enjoy another harvest of these golden delights.

Baking also proved a wonderful solution for a recent cooking dilemma. Our 10-year-old microwave conked out a couple weeks ago and we found ourselves needing to warm up some already cooked quinoa for dinner. So I put it in the oven with our salmon. My husband said he liked it even better twice cooked!

In other culinary adventures, my friend Merry and I enjoyed lunch at the Tulip Tea Room while visiting Pella last month.

I had the rusk chicken with rice. It was served with a side salad, scone, and almond bar. Plenty to fill me up for lunch!

May also found us checking out the Downtown Des Moines Farmer's Market where we sampled gluten-free donuts. I do not have a gluten sensitivity but just thought it would be interesting to taste the difference.

We also got some of these delicious radishes from one of the Asian vendors.

A highlight in June was attending a vintage handmade fair where artisans were selling their wares. Many of the booths featured fun garden ideas like these gardens-in-a-tree stump.

While there, we indulged in lemon cupcakes from Scratch Cupcakery's cute pink-and-brown truck.

June also found us celebrating a special birthday for my grandma. One of her daughters put together a lovely photo book to commemorate the occasion. It included this photo of Grandma as a young woman...

...and this photo of Grandma with her fraternal twin sister as a youngster. Grandma is the one on the right.

It's hard to believe that June is nearly over. It's been a rainy month, and for that I've been thankful as there has been little time to work in the garden. Thanks to the rain, it has been holding its own. Sadly, many of plants suffered serious setbacks from the cumulative effect of several dry summers and winters. The roses, boxwood, and hydrangeas were the hardest hit. Oddly enough, some of the weakest roses (English roses) survived and some of the tougher ones (Knock Outs) that have come back year after year in the 10 years we've been here were damaged. Some even succumbed to nature's cruelty. As a result of all the rain, we've seen more toads at Ashton House than in past years. I spotted this plump fellow at my back doorstep this morning. At first I feared he was injured because he didn't move an inch when I touched him, but then he hopped away once I went indoors.

Sounds like you have been very productive and had some fun times as well this summer. I've noticed a lot of toads at our new house, but thought it was just the location. Now I wonder. Your toad looks too fat to move too fast. :)

I love the cover of the Primitives magazine, that is the kind of quilt I would make for fall. So pretty. I loved the photo of your grandma, isn't it fun to see them young? I remember the first time I realized my grandma had been young. You are getting so many thing accomplished how exciting!

I'M SO PROUD TO BE A REGULAR EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR OF THIS MAGAZINE...

Check out our Winter 2012 issue on sale in October!

My Garden

My husband and I love to garden. We transformed a bland patch of grass into this cozy arbor garden just outside our kitchen. Inspired by the gardens of Colonial Williamsburg, we enclosed the brick-lined beds and pea gravel paths with English boxwood.

COPYRIGHT:Please do not publish, reprint or borrow any content of this blog without my permission. All photographs and text are my own unless otherwise noted and are protected by copyright law.

About Me

Heirlooms by Ashton House

I am a magazine writer and quilt book editor by day and an avid quilter, dollmaker, and crafter by night.
I have a passion for patterns of the past, though I appreciate many different styles of quilting.
Living in an 1885 yellow brick Victorian home inspires me to create doll quilts and papier mache dolls reminiscent of yesteryear. I'm most at home surrounded by antiques and vintage finds that recall a simpler time.

My Pink Blog

MY PERSONAL COLLECTION OF VINTAGE SEWING ART ON MY PINTEREST PAGE

Love the owl on this Clark's Mile End Sewing Thread artwork

MY PINCUSHION DESIGN ON THE MODA BAKE SHOP BLOG

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AFRICAN VIOLETS

I have loved these blooming beauties ever since my grandmother introduced me to them when I was a teenager. Today I display many of my violets in my collection of antique china teapots, cups, and sugar bowls. Learn how to grow and display African violets in my article featured in the Early Spring 2010 issue of Country Gardens magazine.

OLD DOLLS

These two wooden peg dolls are part of my collection of old dolls.

Inspired by yesteryear, each of these papier mache dolls was entirely handcrafted and handpainted by myself. To inquire about available dolls, email me at the above email button.